The Books of Kristine Kathryn Rusch

A stand-alone Star Wars novel set thirteen years after 'Return Of The Jedi'. Leia is concerned over the admission of former Imperials into the New Republic senate when a bomb destroys the Senate Hall. Leia's prejudice against the former Imperials and her instant assumption that they are responsible for the bomb didn't sit too well with me. I understand the thinking behind the concept, but I feel that Leia's proved herself too open minded for these ideas to work (just think of 'The Truce At Bakura'). Now, I'm a real sucker for Dark Jedi, so when it turns out that two of them are behind the plot, I was very pleased. The interaction between the two is interesting, with Brakiss being reluctant and reclusive, whilst Kueller is proactive and out to conquer the galaxy, and things get even better when each interacts with Luke. I was impressed by Rusch's bravery when she shows Luke as not being all-knowing and all-powerful, which is something his character needed. As Luke seeks the dark siders and Leia struggles to keep the senate from falling apart, Han, framed for the bombing, begins his own investigation by returning to the old haunts of his smuggler days. I really enjoyed the reactions of the smugglers to Han now he's gone legit and the fact that, in the end, the only friend he can rely on is the other reformed rogue of the Star Wars saga, Lando. I didn't like the concept using the Jawas very much, however. The idea of shipping sand, Jawas and sandcrawlers to an asteroid, just so you can get the little pests to repair droids for you seems to be taking the long way around if you ask me. The book has a great climatic battle scene, with Wedge showing his usual flair for unorthodox tactics and a brilliantly written final duel, in which Luke tries to do an Obi-Wan but is prevented by Leia's more direct methods. Nice to see Talon Karrde and Mara Jade in the thick of things too. Not flawless, but it is more Star Wars book for your money (over 500 pages) and is very good overall.